Can a 17-Year-Old Take Tamiflu?
Yes, a 17-year-old can absolutely take Tamiflu (oseltamivir) for influenza treatment or prophylaxis at the standard adult dose of 75 mg twice daily for 5 days for treatment, or 75 mg once daily for prophylaxis. 1, 2
Age-Appropriate Dosing for Adolescents
Adolescents 13-17 years of age receive the full adult dose of oseltamivir: 75 mg twice daily for 5 days for treatment of influenza 1, 2
For prophylaxis after exposure, the dose is 75 mg once daily for 10 days 1, 3
The FDA has established safety and efficacy for oseltamivir in pediatric patients from 2 weeks old through 17 years of age 2
Weight-Based Considerations
While adolescents typically receive the adult dose, if the 17-year-old weighs less than 40 kg (88 lbs), weight-based dosing should be used instead 1, 4:
- 23-40 kg: 60 mg twice daily
- 15-23 kg: 45 mg twice daily
- ≤15 kg: 30 mg twice daily
Most 17-year-olds will weigh more than 40 kg and therefore receive the standard 75 mg dose 4, 5
Timing and Administration
Treatment should ideally be initiated within 48 hours of symptom onset for maximum benefit, though later treatment may still provide some benefit in moderate-to-severe cases 3, 6
Earlier initiation provides progressively better outcomes—starting within 12 hours of fever onset can reduce illness duration by 3.1 days compared to starting at 48 hours 6
Oseltamivir can be taken with or without food, though taking with meals significantly improves gastrointestinal tolerability and reduces nausea and vomiting 5, 3, 7
Available Formulations
Oseltamivir is available as 30 mg, 45 mg, and 75 mg capsules, making the 75 mg dose convenient for adolescents 1, 5
An oral suspension (6 mg/mL) is also available if the patient cannot swallow capsules, with a 75 mg dose requiring 12.5 mL 1, 5
Special Considerations and Pitfalls
Do not delay treatment waiting for laboratory confirmation—clinical judgment during influenza season is sufficient to start therapy 3
Avoid live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) within 48 hours before oseltamivir use, and do not use oseltamivir for 14 days after LAIV vaccination, as the antiviral may interfere with vaccine effectiveness 3
If the adolescent has renal impairment (creatinine clearance 10-30 mL/min), reduce the dose to 75 mg once daily for treatment 1, 5
The most common adverse effects are nausea and vomiting (5-15% of patients), which are typically mild, transient, and occur mainly with the first dose 5, 7
Clinical Evidence Supporting Use
Safety and efficacy in adolescents 13-17 years is supported by adequate and well-controlled trials in adults and adolescents, plus safety data from treatment and prophylaxis studies 2
Oseltamivir reduces illness duration by up to 1.5 days and severity by up to 38% when started within 36 hours of symptom onset 7
The drug is effective against currently circulating influenza A and B strains 3